The Kamal remained drifting for the next thirty-two years and four months until April2376 when it was discovered by the crew of the USS Enterprise-E. By that time the orb’s casing had been knocked open, so when an away team beamed over to the Kamal to investigate they all suffered flashbacks as a result of exposure to the orb. The orb was discovered by CommanderElias Vaughn who closed the casing, blocking out the orb's effects to the rest of the away team. Being the closest to the orb Vaughn had the strongest experience which caused him to re-evaluate his life. The Enterprise took the orb to Deep Space 9 to return it to the Bajoran people. There the orb’s effect on Vaughn culminated in him taking on a new assignment as DS9's first officer. Vaughn discussed his experience with Kira Nerys who was inspired to consult the orb herself. Her experience with the orb provoked her to take a runabout to B'hala where she discovered a previously unknown tomb which contained the bodies of ten thousand people, the guardians of the Ohalu Prophecies. (DS9 - Avatarnovels: Book One, Book Two)

As news of the return of the Orb of Memory spread, many Bajoran s came to Deep Space 9 on pilgrimages to see it. The Vedek Assembly was expected to have a location ready for the orb soon. (DS9 - Mission Gammanovel: Twilight)